So I actually recorded an intermountain segment for this video, and for some reason it did not make the cut and I missed it in my checks. I will put it out as a short.
I’m retired, fixed income, an looking at getting into the hobby to the extent that I can. I find that your channel provides excellent, accessible information on a range of topics for a range levels. I feel very secure in the knowledge that I will have a much better idea of what questions to ask when I’m at the ‘Merchant Mall’ at the next show or when I go into my local shop. Not to mention the aspects of the hobby you illustrate that I had never even thought of! I will never have the space for a large layout, nor the wherewithal for the fleet, but with the knowledge that you impart about the best available equipment, studying the used market, and judicious use of sales and patience, I hope I can get even more enjoyment than I do now as an “Armchair Railroader”. Thanks, Jimmy
Start with track, like I am. I found a loop of kato track on eBay cheap, and while I gather my turnouts one at a time, I’m getting into the scenic while I wait in between each new piece. And the loco… is the one big lump you’ll need.
Congrats on your introduction to the hobby. One of the best places to get anything for your railroad is model train swap meets, you can find great manufacturers and get stuff for a good & sometimes great prices
being a Japanese N scale modeler, the only big manufractures is really kato or tomix that do stand alone freight cars, mirco ace tend to do more full sets of rollingstock and are pretty expensive.
I live not far away from Bowser and the gentleman who owns it,did at one time have a model railroading store. Sadly the store closed September 29,2023. The store was named English's Model Railroad Supply.
Back in the late 1970's I bought a few MicroTrains. I was really impressed with the detail and readable tiny print. I left N scale in the 80's and re-entered N scale a few years ago because I expect to be downsizing in a few years and N scale will work well in a smaller space. I still have some MicroTrains, but my favorites are Trainworx and Wheels of time. One of the newer manufacturers into N scale is ScaleTrains. When they offered the SD40T-2, and I saw the preproduction shots, I was sold. I purchased all available numbers in D&RGW and 3 from the SP line. As for other brands, I also own some Intermountain, ExactRail, Bowser, Atlas, Athearn, BLI, Rapido and Bluford Shops. Athearn makes some nice N scale SP bay window cabooses which I have a couple and they appear to be good copies of the prototype. KATO seems to be mainly for passenger trains and engines. I have the California Zephyr set and Amtrak Superliners. I think Bachman is about the only N scale trains I don't have. I do have one or two Eastern Seaboard models gondolas. Trainworx may be the brand I have the most of - being a 1970's Rio Grande fan, they make a lot of models that fit the 1970's era. MicroTrains doesn't always identify what prototype they represent which is kind of a negative - I like it when the models are named after the builder and model. I would not say Trainworx is not a covered hopper mainly manufacturer. They do 85' TOFC flat cars, TOFC trailers, gondolas, quad coal cars etc.
Thanks, a terrific pair of guides. I am spearheading my club's exhibition layout which is to be N-scale, modern and modular - contrasting with the club's HO transition era layout. As a UK modeller at home, I find myself needing to quickly get up to speed in N-scale so I find myself watching a lot of your videos. BTW - my club is the Greater Niagara Model Railroad Engineers - GNMRE.
I have 7 Trainworx covered hoppers and 4 gondolas their cars are really nice and I plan on buying more. Atlas is another favorite of mine. I also have some Walthers cars. Atlas and Trainworx are going to be my primary choices especially covered hoppers and gondolas. I'm going to be looking for some 60' flats and bulkhead flats possibly Micro Trains. Thanks for the videos that you do. I appreciate it.
I didn't realize there were that many different n scale car manufacturers. Thanks for the education as we have primarily been buying Bachmann. Your channel is very informative.
Jimmy, thanks! Had no idea Con Cor was still making models. You grabbed a bunch of manufacturers, but one that missed is Intermountain Railway. In addition to freight cars, they also have Centraila Carshops passengers cars and Trainworx cars and tractor trailers.
bought my first ConCor loco PA1 in Tenn. in 1967/1968, this year i went back and got a GG-1 DCC/sound equiped green livery and it runs and is of course sounding better than my first purchase.
Bluford cabooses are fantastic. I am partial to MTL and Atlas for most items. My biggest "issue" is that all of their rolling stock needs to be weighted for better operations. Being all plastic, they are really light. From a manufacturing perspective, I get not adding the weights in the factory as there are not a lot of operations based N scale layouts.
Great video Jimmy, thank you! Three questions: 1) Would you list all the companies (in writing) you have looked at, please? 2) Since you live in NC, USA, I assume you do not have much experience with the European market (like MiniTrix, Fleichmann, Bachmann and Pico). Could that be a "part 2"? 3) Would you take a look at some point to what blank/unpainted cars and locomotives are available?
I have a couple pieces of Bachmann and Athearn n scale rolling stock and I like it, but they are really fiddly when trying to couple with my other stuff, which largely has microtrains couplers/trucks.
This is a very interesting video Jimmy specifically because I did not know that Con-Cor was still in business. I’m definitely gonna look into their product because I have a few older F units that I would like to run in DC. Micro-Trains is obviously the standard right now everywhere you go people are talking, micro, trains, couplers, micro, train conversions, and things like that. I agree with you that Bachman has a quality product, but their couplers are just a little too Cumbersome to mate with other types of rolling stock. And as far as what I really am interested in, are tanker cars. My uncle used to own a Shell gas station in Chicago and I have always been drawn to Shell oil tankers…so,as soon as I see one at a show… I’m gonna buy it! Anyway, great video it really sparked a lot of interest. Have a wonderful day CMF
Just bought some Rapdio cars and they are great (but expensive). More importantly… I’ve just seen that they’re doing Budd RDC’s - and its a huge range of them!
Hi Jimmy, thanks for another great video and thanks for using my comment at the beginning. Micro-Trains is my favorite rolling stock manufacturer for the reasons you mentioned and they are made in the USA. I also like Atlas and Kato a lot. I’ll look into the other brands to see if they have cars that fit my FEC post 2000 era theme. Best regards from Joe in sunny but chilly Florida. 🌞🌴🚂
Great video, Jimmy! Nice to know ConCor is still around. I model primarily HO. My all-time favorite is Athearn Blue Box kits. For new car purchases, I just stick with all the main HO companies (no real brand loyalty). I did see on ConCor's website a HO scale Conrail flat car with a U-Haul load saying Kenttucky! May have to get that one (Kentucky is my home). Have a great day!
Jacksonville Terminal company for intermodal rolling stock and containers, and Wheels of Time for both passenger cars (think hw head-end cars, SP commuter cars (subs and bilevels) and freight cars. Nice video (as are all your videos)!
My favorite N scale rolling stock are my Kato metra cars. Nippon sharyo, i believe the cars were called. The ones the electrified Superliner 2s that run near me were based on
I really wish T-track would come out with modules for larger scales. I know I could probably adapt the current ones to HO, but I think the radius on turns would get a bit tight for 2 sets of track.
Concor started as an importer of foreign models that they would rebrand for sale in the USA. Some of their early locomotives and rolling stock were made by Kato and have Kato/Sekisui logos on the underside. They were recently using the same Chinese factory to manufacturer that Atlas used. Not sure where production is now, but probably not USA. Bowser imports almost everything they offer. I would be very surprised to find out that their manufacturing N Scale in the USA.
I apoligize if you mentioned them, but there are also companies that are doing custom runs of different manufacturers that you have to buy from those companies. The two big ones in N scale are N Scale Enthusiast and Lowell Smith. Although Homeshops just did their first run of N scale. You mentioned Bowser (I had to get their Old Dutch Cleanser cars), but there is also Intermountain and Athearn. Did you say Bachman? (I really need to pay more attention when watching videos)
Great content, as always! A bit off-topic, but I wanted to ask: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
Whats the best way to order lots of freight cars with knuckle couplers online for cheap? I've gone to a couple train shows but they were mostly selling brand new stuff which is pretty expensive and I have to pay a lot of toll money just to get to the show.
For my money I tend to stick to Intermountain, Exactrail, Micro-Trains, and the like. Atlas and Bachmann tend to expect ScaleTrains prices for Roco detailing (often literally in Atlas' case as many of their cars to this day are recycled Roco ones), and this is often even the case on Atlas' Master line. Why buy a Bachmann cylindrical grain hopper with chunky 1970s detail and oversize couplers for $37 when I can get an Intermountain one that's more accurate and has much finer detail for $28?
Jimmy, how do you find rolling stock with decent couplers? I have 2-3 different manufacturers including Kato that have couplers that won't hook up or will not stay hooked up no matter what. The UP oil and water tenders have couplers that just will not work and after looking at them I don't think they were meant to. I am thinking twice before purchasing any of their rolling stock.
"Micro Trains" couplers...seems to be a common theme. Sorry if I've asked this before (my "old brain" forgets sometimes)...are Kato Loco's compatible with Micro Trains couplers...and if not...how hard is it to make them so? Thanks for a great video. I've a friend that is just introducing N-scale rolling stock to the market (he was at the recent national train show). If I can get more info I'll share it. Black Rifle Coffee, Wakin' the Neighbors coffee this morning (at least for the 2nd cup).
Generally, Kato couplers will mate with those of Microtrains. But that does not mean they will run perfectly. If you plan on running Kato locomotives with Microtrain coupler equipped freight cars, then I highly recommend converting Kato locomotives to Microtrain couplers. However, if your Kato locomotives are running with Kato cars, say like in a purely Kato passenger set, then leave the Kato couplers in. They'll play together just fine. Conversions are generally quite easy. This is especially true of many diesels. The only trouble you'll find is with older market (say like 10-15 years) equipment. Conversions for steam can become quite challenging (difficult). My advice would be to buy rolling stock that comes factory equipped with either Microtrains couplers or Microtrains compatible couplers. If my Kato diesels will be pulling freight, I'd go ahead and convert them to Microtrain couplers to avoid future problems. If you find an item without Microtrains compatible couplers that you simply MUST have, fear not. Coupler conversions can be "hired out" as well. The Microtrains website has a list of which of their couplers you'll need for which locomotive.
I take a pretty utilitarian approach - I don't really modify anything that comes with knuckle couplers unless they have those awful oversize Bachmann ones. For Rapido-equipped stuff I buy on the cheap, I body-mount MT couplers where it's easy enough and use MT trucks with couplers on cars where it isn't. There's a lot of BS on the internet about body-mount couplers not working on tight radii, but I've run equipment with body-mount couplers on 6" radius Unitrack without issue for ages. This tells me that it's largely just an untested assumption.
off subject,..but i just noticed on my favorite train stores,...there are SEVERAL new N scale structures AND quite a few newer generation vehicles. Sorry, just seen that page and about screamed ,lol.
Here is my top five manufactures when I buy or trade in N Scale. Buy Atlas but not their couplers, Buy Bachmann but stay away from the cars with the roof walks and the friction bearing trucks not my era, Buy Micro Trains they are the best, buy Bedford their models are top notch, Buy Horizon Hobbies and Athearn but stay away from the knuckles, and Buy Kato you can't go wrong. Do Not Buy Rapido! Their axles can stick and their knuckles are garbage, Do Not Buy Scale Trains! Their knuckles can break and they are poorly made, and if you buy aftermarket Do Not Buy Arnold, Gen 2 Bachmann, early model Horby, or models made in the Eastern Bloc their gears are old and their motors are no good you put that on the track you will fry the motor. Also if you are buying from the Walther's Catalog do not buy Tico or late model Lifelike their shells are too cheep and the motor is too noisy and is not made anymore.
So I actually recorded an intermountain segment for this video, and for some reason it did not make the cut and I missed it in my checks. I will put it out as a short.
I’m retired, fixed income, an looking at getting into the hobby to the extent that I can. I find that your channel provides excellent, accessible information on a range of topics for a range levels. I feel very secure in the knowledge that I will have a much better idea of what questions to ask when I’m at the ‘Merchant Mall’ at the next show or when I go into my local shop. Not to mention the aspects of the hobby you illustrate that I had never even thought of! I will never have the space for a large layout, nor the wherewithal for the fleet, but with the knowledge that you impart about the best available equipment, studying the used market, and judicious use of sales and patience, I hope I can get even more enjoyment than I do now as an “Armchair Railroader”. Thanks, Jimmy
Start with track, like I am. I found a loop of kato track on eBay cheap, and while I gather my turnouts one at a time, I’m getting into the scenic while I wait in between each new piece. And the loco… is the one big lump you’ll need.
Jimmy git in there! A great hobby!
Congrats on your introduction to the hobby. One of the best places to get anything for your railroad is model train swap meets, you can find great manufacturers and get stuff for a good & sometimes great prices
The nice thing about Micro Trains box cars is that they all have opening doors
being a Japanese N scale modeler, the only big manufractures is really kato or tomix that do stand alone freight cars, mirco ace tend to do more full sets of rollingstock and are pretty expensive.
I live not far away from Bowser and the gentleman who owns it,did at one time have a model railroading store. Sadly the store closed September 29,2023. The store was named English's Model Railroad Supply.
Thanks for the honest evaluation of available cars, and info on some of the newer manufacturers.
Back in the late 1970's I bought a few MicroTrains. I was really impressed with the detail and readable tiny print. I left N scale in the 80's and re-entered N scale a few years ago because I expect to be downsizing in a few years and N scale will work well in a smaller space. I still have some MicroTrains, but my favorites are Trainworx and Wheels of time.
One of the newer manufacturers into N scale is ScaleTrains. When they offered the SD40T-2, and I saw the preproduction shots, I was sold. I purchased all available numbers in D&RGW and 3 from the SP line.
As for other brands, I also own some Intermountain, ExactRail, Bowser, Atlas, Athearn, BLI, Rapido and Bluford Shops. Athearn makes some nice N scale SP bay window cabooses which I have a couple and they appear to be good copies of the prototype. KATO seems to be mainly for passenger trains and engines. I have the California Zephyr set and Amtrak Superliners. I think Bachman is about the only N scale trains I don't have. I do have one or two Eastern Seaboard models gondolas. Trainworx may be the brand I have the most of - being a 1970's Rio Grande fan, they make a lot of models that fit the 1970's era. MicroTrains doesn't always identify what prototype they represent which is kind of a negative - I like it when the models are named after the builder and model.
I would not say Trainworx is not a covered hopper mainly manufacturer. They do 85' TOFC flat cars, TOFC trailers, gondolas, quad coal cars etc.
In Europa we have Minitrix (Märklin) ,Fleischman and Piko.
Thanks, a terrific pair of guides. I am spearheading my club's exhibition layout which is to be N-scale, modern and modular - contrasting with the club's HO transition era layout. As a UK modeller at home, I find myself needing to quickly get up to speed in N-scale so I find myself watching a lot of your videos. BTW - my club is the Greater Niagara Model Railroad Engineers - GNMRE.
I have 7 Trainworx covered hoppers and 4 gondolas their cars are really nice and I plan on buying more. Atlas is another favorite of mine. I also have some Walthers cars.
Atlas and Trainworx are going to be my primary choices especially covered hoppers and gondolas. I'm going to be looking for some 60' flats and bulkhead flats possibly Micro Trains.
Thanks for the videos that you do. I appreciate it.
I didn't realize there were that many different n scale car manufacturers. Thanks for the education as we have primarily been buying Bachmann. Your channel is very informative.
Jimmy, thanks! Had no idea Con Cor was still making models. You grabbed a bunch of manufacturers, but one that missed is Intermountain Railway. In addition to freight cars, they also have Centraila Carshops passengers cars and Trainworx cars and tractor trailers.
I actually recorded the intermountain segment but for some reason missed putting it in the video and it missed my checks
bought my first ConCor loco PA1 in Tenn. in 1967/1968, this year i went back and got a GG-1 DCC/sound equiped green livery and it runs and is of course sounding better than my first purchase.
Gotta love Micro Trains and Atlas, excellent stuff
Bluford cabooses are fantastic.
I am partial to MTL and Atlas for most items.
My biggest "issue" is that all of their rolling stock needs to be weighted for better operations. Being all plastic, they are really light. From a manufacturing perspective, I get not adding the weights in the factory as there are not a lot of operations based N scale layouts.
Great video Jimmy, thank you!
Three questions:
1) Would you list all the companies (in writing) you have looked at, please?
2) Since you live in NC, USA, I assume you do not have much experience with the European market (like MiniTrix, Fleichmann, Bachmann and Pico). Could that be a "part 2"?
3) Would you take a look at some point to what blank/unpainted cars and locomotives are available?
I have a couple pieces of Bachmann and Athearn n scale rolling stock and I like it, but they are really fiddly when trying to couple with my other stuff, which largely has microtrains couplers/trucks.
I model HO scale and switch out all couplers to KD because they are most reliable.
This is a very interesting video Jimmy specifically because I did not know that Con-Cor was still in business. I’m definitely gonna look into their product because I have a few older F units that I would like to run in DC. Micro-Trains is obviously the standard right now everywhere you go people are talking, micro, trains, couplers, micro, train conversions, and things like that. I agree with you that Bachman has a quality product, but their couplers are just a little too Cumbersome to mate with other types of rolling stock. And as far as what I really am interested in, are tanker cars. My uncle used to own a Shell gas station in Chicago and I have always been drawn to Shell oil tankers…so,as soon as I see one at a show… I’m gonna buy it!
Anyway, great video it really sparked a lot of interest. Have a wonderful day
CMF
Just bought some Rapdio cars and they are great (but expensive). More importantly… I’ve just seen that they’re doing Budd RDC’s - and its a huge range of them!
Hi Jimmy, thanks for another great video and thanks for using my comment at the beginning. Micro-Trains is my favorite rolling stock manufacturer for the reasons you mentioned and they are made in the USA. I also like Atlas and Kato a lot. I’ll look into the other brands to see if they have cars that fit my FEC post 2000 era theme. Best regards from Joe in sunny but chilly Florida. 🌞🌴🚂
Great video, Jimmy! Nice to know ConCor is still around. I model primarily HO. My all-time favorite is Athearn Blue Box kits. For new car purchases, I just stick with all the main HO companies (no real brand loyalty). I did see on ConCor's website a HO scale Conrail flat car with a U-Haul load saying Kenttucky! May have to get that one (Kentucky is my home). Have a great day!
Jacksonville Terminal company for intermodal rolling stock and containers, and Wheels of Time for both passenger cars (think hw head-end cars, SP commuter cars (subs and bilevels) and freight cars. Nice video (as are all your videos)!
My favorite N scale rolling stock are my Kato metra cars. Nippon sharyo, i believe the cars were called. The ones the electrified Superliner 2s that run near me were based on
I really wish T-track would come out with modules for larger scales. I know I could probably adapt the current ones to HO, but I think the radius on turns would get a bit tight for 2 sets of track.
Concor started as an importer of foreign models that they would rebrand for sale in the USA. Some of their early locomotives and rolling stock were made by Kato and have Kato/Sekisui logos on the underside. They were recently using the same Chinese factory to manufacturer that Atlas used. Not sure where production is now, but probably not USA. Bowser imports almost everything they offer. I would be very surprised to find out that their manufacturing N Scale in the USA.
This was great, thanks! Can't wait to build my N scale layout (as soon as I get any free time lol)
I was looking at Kato N Amtrak Auto Train rolling stock. A review said that they are top heavy and derail. A set of 4 at Lombards for only 59.99
I apoligize if you mentioned them, but there are also companies that are doing custom runs of different manufacturers that you have to buy from those companies. The two big ones in N scale are N Scale Enthusiast and Lowell Smith. Although Homeshops just did their first run of N scale.
You mentioned Bowser (I had to get their Old Dutch Cleanser cars), but there is also Intermountain and Athearn.
Did you say Bachman? (I really need to pay more attention when watching videos)
Ok, you did mention Bachman and Athearn, See, I need to pay better attention.
Haha! and funny story. I recorded an intermountain segment but for some reason didn't put it in and it missed my check.
@@DIYDigitalRailroad We are here, the YT commenters, to point out your mistakes, LOL.
We can now add Aurora Miniatures International who have just released their first N scale car the Greenbrier 7550cf 60' Plate F Boxcar
Thank You
you forgot about intermountain:)
Lowell smith offers pax cars
Kenray models does kits
Oh wow! So neat😮
Love my Bachman, MTL, and Atlas. Not a fan of Athearn, Kato, or Bowser at all.
I recently bought an ho scale Bowser boxcar and the couplers were cheap and not at the right height and it runs poorly. 😕
Great content, as always! A bit off-topic, but I wanted to ask: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
Whats the best way to order lots of freight cars with knuckle couplers online for cheap? I've gone to a couple train shows but they were mostly selling brand new stuff which is pretty expensive and I have to pay a lot of toll money just to get to the show.
Eastern seaboard models metal wheels are by far THE BEST out there. They roll on the slightest of grade.
For my money I tend to stick to Intermountain, Exactrail, Micro-Trains, and the like. Atlas and Bachmann tend to expect ScaleTrains prices for Roco detailing (often literally in Atlas' case as many of their cars to this day are recycled Roco ones), and this is often even the case on Atlas' Master line. Why buy a Bachmann cylindrical grain hopper with chunky 1970s detail and oversize couplers for $37 when I can get an Intermountain one that's more accurate and has much finer detail for $28?
Jimmy, how do you find rolling stock with decent couplers? I have 2-3 different manufacturers including Kato that have couplers that won't hook up or will not stay hooked up no matter what. The UP oil and water tenders have couplers that just will not work and after looking at them I don't think they were meant to. I am thinking twice before purchasing any of their rolling stock.
"Micro Trains" couplers...seems to be a common theme. Sorry if I've asked this before (my "old brain" forgets sometimes)...are Kato Loco's compatible with Micro Trains couplers...and if not...how hard is it to make them so? Thanks for a great video. I've a friend that is just introducing N-scale rolling stock to the market (he was at the recent national train show). If I can get more info I'll share it. Black Rifle Coffee, Wakin' the Neighbors coffee this morning (at least for the 2nd cup).
Generally, Kato couplers will mate with those of Microtrains. But that does not mean they will run perfectly. If you plan on running Kato locomotives with Microtrain coupler equipped freight cars, then I highly recommend converting Kato locomotives to Microtrain couplers. However, if your Kato locomotives are running with Kato cars, say like in a purely Kato passenger set, then leave the Kato couplers in. They'll play together just fine.
Conversions are generally quite easy. This is especially true of many diesels. The only trouble you'll find is with older market (say like 10-15 years) equipment. Conversions for steam can become quite challenging (difficult).
My advice would be to buy rolling stock that comes factory equipped with either Microtrains couplers or Microtrains compatible couplers. If my Kato diesels will be pulling freight, I'd go ahead and convert them to Microtrain couplers to avoid future problems.
If you find an item without Microtrains compatible couplers that you simply MUST have, fear not. Coupler conversions can be "hired out" as well.
The Microtrains website has a list of which of their couplers you'll need for which locomotive.
Are ALL couplers universal?
I am trying to find passenger cars for N scale N&W J class 610 loco. The few I have found are horribly expensive.
Iv'e seen lots of contradictions on body mount vs truck mount couplers. Anybody want to step in with thier take on this.
I take a pretty utilitarian approach - I don't really modify anything that comes with knuckle couplers unless they have those awful oversize Bachmann ones. For Rapido-equipped stuff I buy on the cheap, I body-mount MT couplers where it's easy enough and use MT trucks with couplers on cars where it isn't. There's a lot of BS on the internet about body-mount couplers not working on tight radii, but I've run equipment with body-mount couplers on 6" radius Unitrack without issue for ages. This tells me that it's largely just an untested assumption.
@@ErickC Thanks, this is great information-especially concerning the 6" radius
off subject,..but i just noticed on my favorite train stores,...there are SEVERAL new N scale structures AND quite a few newer generation vehicles. Sorry, just seen that page and about screamed ,lol.
Here is my top five manufactures when I buy or trade in N Scale. Buy Atlas but not their couplers, Buy Bachmann but stay away from the cars with the roof walks and the friction bearing trucks not my era, Buy Micro Trains they are the best, buy Bedford their models are top notch, Buy Horizon Hobbies and Athearn but stay away from the knuckles, and Buy Kato you can't go wrong. Do Not Buy Rapido! Their axles can stick and their knuckles are garbage, Do Not Buy Scale Trains! Their knuckles can break and they are poorly made, and if you buy aftermarket Do Not Buy Arnold, Gen 2 Bachmann, early model Horby, or models made in the Eastern Bloc their gears are old and their motors are no good you put that on the track you will fry the motor. Also if you are buying from the Walther's Catalog do not buy Tico or late model Lifelike their shells are too cheep and the motor is too noisy and is not made anymore.
I do not understand why a car is $30-80